Digital Loggers

Frequently Asked Questions

Updated 03/13/2020

Web Power Switch Pro


Download a users guide.  Check the specs.

See the overview here - or call (408) 330-5599 for a free trial

How does the product compare to the Web Power Switch 7?  
Setup  
How do I set up network access in Windows? From a Mac? - Thanks to John McClintock for these Mac tips.
How do I set up port forwarding?  Linksys PF example. - Kudos to Mike G
My program ran fine on the Web Power Switch 7, but doesn't connect now.  Help!
What is the default IP address?  How do I reset to defaults?  What is the default password?
How do I use the keypad to set it up?
 
General FAQs  

What is the current version of firmware?
The session timeout is too short. Can I make the session longer?
What's the new Lua Language and Scripting all about?
What are the outside mechanical dimensions?
How do I enable AutoPing?  Explain the Auto-Ping settings
What's syslog?  How can I keep an event log?
Can you develop custom firmware or custom hardware for my app?
What are the CRITICAL and PROTECT functions?
Where can I find the manual or spec sheet for the earlier (LPC7) model?
What temperature sensors are compatible?
How do I set up event notifications?
 

External APIs - Communicating with the power controller  
How can I connect to Amazon Echo, Alexa, Dot or Tap products?
How can I connect to Google Assistant or Google Home?
How can I access the switch from my own application or remote script?  What's the cURL API?
Is this product compatible with legacy plaintext scripts and http control?
How can I control the switch from my own applications? 
What is the recommended REST API?
Have any SNMP setup tips?
Do you support MQTT?
How can I set up IFTTT?
Do you have a Visual Basic.NET example program?  Thanks to Alan Holmes
Do you have a C++ programming example?
Do you have a .NET programming example?
Do you have a Java programming example?
Do you have a compiled Windows command line tool or a Perl example?
Do you have a Python programming example?
Do you have a Crestron control module?
How can I run a perl script from LabView?
Where can I find iPhone, iPad, or Android apps for Digital Loggers?
Do you support PowerMan?
Question:  What is the current version of firmware?
Answer:  Find the revision history here, and firmware update instructions here.
Question:  How does the Pro compare to the Web Power Switch 7?
Answer:  The Pro has both hardwired Ethernet and WiFi, thanks to a more powerful 32 bit CPU from Qualcomm Atheros.  The design includes expanded memory for the Athreros including FLASH, EEPROM, and SDRAM.  Leveraging open-source code and expanded memory allowed us to add several firmware features including SNMP, HTTPS, SSL, SSH, Rest API and Alexa Compatibility, a REST API and MQTT.   The BASIC scripting language has been replaced by Lua.  A much more powerful watchdog supervisory processor has been added.  Most important, there's good news on price: the new, more powerful ICs are less expensive. The Pro currently costs less than the original Web Power Switch 7 Here's a feature matrix. courtesy of Mike Gillen
Question:  I have a different model: Web Power Switch 7, Ethernet Power Controller II, III, V, or  PC-8000 model.  Where can I find information?
Answer:  Jump to the support page here. Don't see what you need?  Just give us a call (408) 330-5599.
Question:  How can I control and customize the LCD display?
Answer:  The LCD can be used to display settings, outlet status, or any message of your choice.  You can operate the LCD in "billboard" style, displaying a series of user defined messages.  To customize the LCD, you'll want to write a script using the Lua scripting language.   You can also use the display to send messages from remote systems (ie. service alert warnings).  To send messages remotely, write a script first, saving it in FLASH then start the script from your remote system.  Learn more about scripting here.
Question:  Is this product compatible with the older (less secure) HTTP plaintext command syntax? 
Answer:  To use the earlier HTTP commands described here and CURL scripts that use plantext login, you'll need to enable this legacy setting on the SETUP page:
Question:  What is the default IP address?  How do I reset to defaults?  What is the default password?
Answer:  IP: 192.168.0.100   User: admin   Pass: 1234
The device's settings can be reset to defaults by pressing the reset button in the hole to the right of the Ethernet jack.
You may want to take a backup of your settings first.
The display displays an overview of possible actions with a ticker on the second LCD line. You may interrupt it by
pressing key_up, or key_down.
Use key_up and key_down, or short presses of the reset button, to select a reset mode. A description of the currently selected mode is displayed on the second LCD line.

The following reset modes are available:
1. Clear lock bits: Clear protection bits only. Other settings are preserved.
2. Reset network and scripting: Clear protection bits, reset network settings and admin login, disable autoping and scripts. Other settings are preserved.
3. Reset network and scripting + enable WiFi: Clear protection bits, reset network settings and admin login, disable autoping and scripts, and enable open WiFi access. Other settings are preserved.
4. Complete wipe: Reset all settings to factory defaults and remove any user files. All settings will be lost!
5. Complete wipe + enable WiFi: Reset all settings to factory defaults and remove any user files, then enable open WiFi access. All settings are lost!

To activate the selected reset mode, press key_cycle or the reset button and hold it.
If all settings are reset (the two last 'wipe' reset modes), the Subnet Restriction will be enabled to prevent remote access using the default password. ONLY MACHINES IN THE SAME SUBNET WILL BE ABLE TO CONNECT AFTER RESETTING TO DEFAULTS. If connectivity is lost, use a local connection such as a laptop with a crossover cable to restore your original network settings.
Question:  On initial setup, I can't establish a Ethernet communications from a Windows PC.  Help!
Answer:  If your default Windows settings won’t access the controller, follow these steps to reach the controller’s IP.  You'll find a more extensive explanation in the user's manual.
Details for setting up via the keyad can be found here.

Before adding an IP, close network programs and browsers.

Go to the Network Settings – Local Area Network or use the keyboard shortcut <Windows-R> - type “ncpa.cpl” and click OK. 

Right click on your LAN connection and choose “Properties”

Highlight “Internet Protocol” and click the “Properties” button.

Make note of the current settings.

Select "Use the following IP address".

Enter an IP address such as 192.168.0.5.

Enter a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0.

Delete any gateway entry.

Close all windows for the configuration to take effect.

Start your Browser and type 192.168.0.100 in the URL field. The index page should be displayed.

The default user name is "admin" (lower case) and password is “1234”

Set the IP address of the unit to your network, then restore your settings.
Question:  Can I set the session timeout longer?
Answer:  Yes
Log into the unit and choose the External APIs link.
If the REST API is not enabled, check the REST API checkbox and press submit.
Scroll own to the "Browse the REST API" link Eg: 192.168.0.100/restapi/
Select the auth (Authentication server object) link
Select Cookie timeout Eg: http://192.168.0.100/restapi/auth/cookie_timeout/


Enter a time in seconds.
3600 = 1 hour
7200 = 2 hours
86400 = 1 day
604800 = 1 week

Click the PUT button.

The next time you login, the timeout will take effect.
Question:  How can I control the switch from my own applications?
Answer: 

 Downloadthe latest User Utility which includes PowerMan support for Linux. Your application can use HTTP communications. There are programming examples from several languages listed in the top section.
Windows users can download a Perl interpreter to run the script version.  This script (ver 4.x) is compatible with all DLI power controllers.

Question:  My program used to run fine on an earlier model won't run on the Pro?
Answer:  It's possible that the program requires legacy login methods which accept plaintext authentication. Go to the Setup page and tick the "Allow legacy plaintext login methods" checkbox, then click "Submit".
If the program works, please inform the author that the preferred authentication method is by using the more secure challenge/response mechanism. Have a look at the Rest API here for new development. 
Question:  Can you develop custom firmware for my application?
Answer:  Gladly.  We've done this for many customers.  After we agree on a -very specific- project description, we can send you an estimate of the time involved to code, debug and test. In most cases, a kick-off meeting in Silicon Valley is required.
Question:  Can you develop custom hardware for my application?
Answer:  Gladly.  We've done this for many customers.   Please call with your requirements.  To amortize NRE, practical minimum order quantities are typically 100-1000 units.  In most cases, a kick-off meeting in Silicon Valley is required.
Question:  Do you support PowerMan?
Answer:  Yes, absolutely.  The latest code is added to the tarball. Download the latest User Utility here.
Question:  What temperature sensors are compatible?
Answer:  DS18B20 or DHT-11 sensors with 3.5mm plugs are compatible and in stock. The pinout is shield=ground, ring=5V VCC, tip=data. Find a Lua code example here.
Question:  What is the blue LCD for?
Answer:  The blue LCD shows outlet status during power up, the IP address, netmask, outlet names, and other useful information.  Time and date stamps for significant events (such as power outages or emergency shutdowns) are also displayed. Using the keypad, you can set up some of the features such as the network settings.  You can program this display to display your own messages using the scripting feature.

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If we haven't answered your questions here, please call (408) 330-5599 or send us an email. 
We'll be glad to help.
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